Hypoxemia and lung water in acute myocardial infarction

Theodore L. Biddle, Paul N. Yu, Morrison Hodges, John R. Chance, Dennis A. Ehrich, Marvin W. Kronenberg, Douglas L. Roberts

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Pulmonary extravascular volume or lung water (PEV), arterial blood gases, and cardiac hemodynamics were measured in 88 patients with acute myocardial infarction. A progressive increase in PEV and a decrease in arterial oxygen tension (PaO2 ) were observed from Class I (uncomplicated) patients to Class III (frank pulmonary edema) patients. Heart rate and pulmonary wedge pressure (Pw) rose and cardiac index declined with increasing severity of heart failure by clinical classification. There was a significant correlation between PEV and Pw independent of clinical class (r=0.47, p<0.01). PaO2 had a negative correlation with Pw (r=-0.28, p<0.01) as well as PEV (r=-0.26, p<0.02). We conclude therefore that increased pulmonary hydrostatic pressure secondary to pulmonary venous hypertension in patients with acute myocardial infarction is a major determinant of interstitial edema. At higher values of PEV, PaO2 was lower. The mechanism of hypoxemia in the presence of excessive lung water may be due to multiple factors, including small airway dysfunction and intrapulmonary shunting.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)692-699
Number of pages8
JournalAmerican Heart Journal
Volume92
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1976

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Hypoxemia and lung water in acute myocardial infarction'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this